Liam Buckley was glad that his Sporting Fingal players were able to produce a big performance in the FAI Ford Cup final as it was certainly needed to beat Sligo Rovers.

 

The Dublin club claimed the trophy for the first time in their short history thanks to goals from Colm James and Gary O'Neill that cancelled out Eoin Doyle's opener for Sligo.

 

Buckley knows that it has been a long season for his team, but was relieved that they could muster up one last effort that saw them finish the year on a high.

 

'Sligo probably deserved a draw. With 10 minutes to go, we needed a lifeline and we got it,' said Buckley.

 

'What a penalty that was from Collie James. The way he took it; to stick it in the top corner with pace, technically that's difficult.

 

'Once we scored momentum went with us, there was a lovely ball in the box and a very tidy finish from Gary O'Neill. He's an unsung hero for us.

 

'I'm chuffed for the boys. To win the cup is up there with all the bits and pieces that I have from my career.'